Best Baked Mac & Cheese

Some folks like their mac & cheese creamy and saucy and some folks like it thick & rich baked in the oven. This recipe, adapted from Alton Brown,with a few changes, is for the latter group of folks. Thick and flavorful and covered in bread crumbs: this is what my family calls "real" macaroni & cheese!

TOPPING:

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes.

Add about 2 Tablespoons of the hot mixture to the beaten egg in a small bowl and gradually add the egg mixture back into the hot mixture (this is called tempering the egg). Stir in 8 oz of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Delicious!